By Bev Fearis, published 25/11/20

The Global Business Travel Association has acquired the key assets of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, which folded earlier this year.

ACTE, which was founded 32 years ago, ceased operations in July blaming the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cancellation of its August 2019 Global Summit in Macau due to political protests in Hong Kong.

The GBTA has acquired all ACTE branding, allowing it to offer a combined membership base with expanded educations and professional development programmes.

As part of the integration, two former ACTE Board members have joined the GBTA Global Board of directors.

Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer of American Airlines, will serve the remainder of the vacant Allied Leadership Council Vice Presidency.

Steve Sitto, Manager Global Travel and Events for Tesla, will serve the remainder of the vacant Direct Member At-Large term.

Both terms will be completed at the GBTA Convention, scheduled to take place in Orlando on July 17-20 2021.

In addition, a committee led by GBTA Chairman Christle Johnson and former ACTE Executive Director and current DigitTravel Consulting Senior Vice President Greeley Koch will work together with GBTA staff and industry volunteers to “identify the best value a combined GBTA and ACTE can deliver to its members”.

“We are beyond thrilled to bring GBTA and ACTE together, creating one home for the thousands of business travel professionals who will collectively bring back business travel bigger and better than ever,” said Bhart Sarin, President of GBTA.

“This very challenging year has presented us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We look forward to creating the world’s best association for travel professionals to learn, network, and grow.”